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The Journeyer, His Experiences, His Learnings, and Reflections
LIMUEL GABUTAN HABON
The Journeyer
The Journeyer
Personal Profile
Name: Limuel Gabutan Habon
Date of Birth: January 18, 2002
Address: Kinmarin, Salcedo, Ilocos Sur
Religion: Roman Catholic
Tribal Affiliation: Tinguian Tribe
Educational Background
Elementary:
Kinayad Elementary School
Kinmarin, Salcedo, Ilocos Sur 2711
Valedictorian
2013 – 2014
Secondary:
San Jose High School, Inc.
San Jose, Sta, Cruz, Ilocos Sur 2713
General Academic Strand (With High Honors)
2019 – 2020
Tertiary:
University of Northern Philippines
Tamag, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, 2700
Bachelor of Elementary Education (4th Year)
2021 – Present
I am inspired by the statement, “When you stumble, make it part of the dance”. Similar to life, we must embrace our fate and destiny. We may not be perfect, we may have flaws, and we may have missteps. But we have our family, friends, and faith in the Almighty that will keep us moving. Therefore live, laugh, and love. Create greater stories in life. Challenge oneself to dance with the rhythm of fate, and move with the sway of destiny. Be indomitable.
- Limuel Gabutan Habon
The Travels
The Travels
Islamic Center: The Firsts of Many
First night out with the buddies, first evening drive around Samarinda, first time to try Indo street food, and first time entering a mosque. The many firsts were the start of bond, familiarity, and comfort.
Night at MaRiMar
"Mahakam River Market: Where laughter echoes through the market stalls, weaving tales of friendship that linger long after the sun sets in glistening water of the mighty river Mahakam."
Kampung Ketupat
"Basking in the golden hues of the slumbering sun where tales were spun and priceless laughter’s were etched into the fabric of memory."
Titik Nol Nusantara: A Fieldtrip to the new Capital City
"Travel escape to Titik Nol: A symphony of laughter, brain teasers, and endless tunes. Turning the miles into melodies and the journey into laughter and meaningful conversation."
Lamaru Beach
"Finding serenity at Lamaru: A tranquil escape after hours on the road. A picnic by the waves, a stroll along the shore—nature's remedy for the soul, accompanied by the refreshing breeze and soothing symphony of the sea.".
Rides around the Street of Pramuka
"Exploring the vibrant road of the bustling street of Pramuka. A sensory journey through the heart of a lively community where tantalizing aromas, lively stalls, and a myriad of services create a symphony of urban life."
The trip to Anggana
"Exploring the resilience in Anggana: Where every crack tells a story and every leak echo determination. A school with character, weathered by time yet standing firm in delivering education.”
Extension activity of PGSD student council where I had the opportunity to witness public elementary school in the rural area of the country. Despite ragged roof, old classroom, and unsteady foundation, there’s smile in the faces of the pupils and teachers which echoes resiliency. The trip was a realization regards to the educational system of the country and devotion of educators for quality education.
Tenggarong: Museum Tour
"Captivating journey through time at Mulawarman Museum, where the echoes of ancient tales and the rich culture of a bygone kingdom come to life, weaving a tapestry of history filled with enchantment and learnings."
A visit to Samarinda's rich tapestry of heritage and culture—a mesmerizing tour blending immersive experiences, profound learning, and a deep dive into the vibrant history, traditions, and way of life by the locals. Tenggarong unveils the captivating stories etched in the rich history of the enchanting city of Samarinda.
The Foods
The Foods
It’s not Indonesia without the chili!
Spicy foods are among the flavors that locals enjoy in Indonesia. Almost every food from a simple snack to a course meal has a hint of spice either from a sambal or a chili. With all honesty, I liked the sambal mixed with tomato as a complimentary sauce to certain foods and dish. The spiciness is tolerable and it’s a good match for tofu, tempe, and chicken.
Nasi is Life!
Indeed, the Philippines and Indonesia will agree when I say that “rice is life”. It is a staple food in both countries. However, Indonesia takes it to a new level by having various rice dishes that are unique, delicious, and to die for.
Among the rice meals that I enjoy were “nasi padang”, “nasi kuning”, the famous “nasi goreng”, “nasi goreng pataya” and my favorite “nasi bakar”.
Sweets and comfort
Indonesia has various delicacies that satisfy one’s sweet tooth. Each delicacy had various levels of sweetness that provide comfort as they are somewhat similar or distinctive to Filipino desserts and sweets like “es campur” to “halo-halo”, “pisang aroma” to “turon”, “kue talam” to “maja blanca” and “onde-onde” to “butsi”.
Savoring City's Soul through Street Food
Samarinda offers a lot of mouthwatering street foods that range from sweet, savory, to spicy. These street foods offer familiarity yet remain unique and flavorful.
Some of the street food I enjoyed was the savory martabak and telur gulung. The taste reminds me of home and it was delicious. Other notable Indonesian street foods that I tried were pentol, sate, rujak, and fried tofu.
Quenching Thirst with Juice, Herbs and Tea
Nothing beats the heat than a drink to quench thirst. Tea and herbs whether hot or cold were very common around the street of Samarinda. However, fresh orange and lemon juice is what I like most as my to-go drink.
Meaningful Activities
Meaningful Activities
Bulan Bahasa
My first day at SD Fastabiqul Khairat was the school’s celebration of “Bulan Bahasa”. I was lucky to witness such an event of Indonesian language and culture empowerment. The fete commenced right after the flag ceremony with a parade of pupils wearing traditional clothes. The program was an artistic avenue for pupils as they displayed their talents in singing, dancing, theater, poem recital, and instrument play.
Overall, the program was a joyous occasion as pupils were able to celebrate their language and take pride in their culture while showcasing their artistry and skills.
Immersion at Pelita Bunda
My teaching internship extended to Pelita Bunda School for Special Needs Education as I had scheduled visits and observations at the school. This organized activity by my supervising lecturer has allowed me to witness and understand the what and how of special needs education.
As observed, special needs pupils require a lot of attention and demand a lot of patience and dedication from teachers. Further, pupils are active and unpredictable. Thus, each class usually has three or more teachers who facilitate the teaching and learning process. Pupils are treated equally and are taught not just academic courses but also life skills such as preparing food and cooking.
The time I spent at the school opened my eyes regarding Special Needs Education and how important inclusivity is inside the classroom. The pupils I interacted with were eager to communicate with me. I appreciate the openness of the school and teachers who allow me to observe and mingle with their students.
Cultural Presentation: A Lecture of Heritage and Identity
During my teaching practicum, I had various episodes of lecture presentations about myself, my culture, and my home country. The first one was organized at SD Fastabiqul Khairat as requested by the teachers. In my lecture, I tackled certain facts regarding the Philippines and gave an interactive presentation about the similarities between Filipino and Indonesian culture, geography, food, games, and traditions. The pupils and I had an active discussion as they were very participative and attentive with my lecture.
Moreover, another cultural presentation was done at SD Negeri 002 Anggana when we attended the extension program, and at Pelita Bunda School or Special Needs Education. This organized activity was meaningful to me as it gave me joy to share some knowledge about my country as I pride its wonders, beauty, history, and culture.
Life as Lecturer
One of the meaningful experiences I had in Indonesia was when I served as a lecturer to college students in the Elementary Education Program. This was a request by my supervising lecturer, Dr. Khusnul as she invited me to have a lecture in her class regarding teaching curriculum and classroom management.
In my lecture, I presented the concept of teachers on how they are viewed in society, discussed the teaching education curriculum in my home university, and presented some key ideas and practices about classroom management based on accumulated knowledge from the academe and my own experiences. The lecture was scheduled for a day with three classes where I had some witty conversations and a great exchange of ideas with student teachers. Overall, the experience was fulfilling as I was able to share some knowledge with fellow aspirants in the teaching profession.
Key Take Aways
Key Take Aways
Time is Gold
Cliché as it may sound, but time is as precious as gold. Time is a valuable aspect of growth as every second counts in improving oneself, every minute is important in overcoming struggles, every hour matters in pushing one’s boundaries, and every day is an opportunity to do better.
The internship taught me how to value time as a pivotal aspect of growth. It widened my perspective on how a second can teach much knowledge, how a minute can create many memories, how an hour can easily establish strong bonds, and how days can feel like a month of learning.
People Come and Remembered
An Indonesian friend once told me that “people come and go”. However, as a realization from the SEA-Teacher Project journey, I want to change that into “people come and remembered”. People don’t just come into our life then disappear like mere mirages, rather they come and create memories that’ll forever be remembered.
During my practicum period, I made connections, formed bonds, and established friendships with amazing people I sincerely cherished. They were pillars of strength, comfort, and love. I am forever grateful to them.
Language is not a barrier for communication
The program let me realize that language has never been a barrier to communication. During the practicum, I was introduced to a buddy who accompanied me in every activity. The challenge was my buddy's struggle to communicate using the English language while I was a beginner with the local language.
Despite the concern, we managed to have a connection. We teach and learn from one another. We relay ideas that are difficult to express using Google Translate, we use hand gestures and body movements to signify certain actions, and we employ facial expressions in conveying emotions. As such we had some meaningful conversations and shared valuable knowledge.
For almost a month, we grew. My buddy became more confident using the English language when conversing while I learned Bahasa words and phrases. Thus, language is not a barrier to communication rather it is a key to having a deeper connection.
Home is the People
My practicum in Indonesia feels home away from home because of the bonds and connections formed among amazing individuals. During my practicum, I had my supervising lecturer Dr. Khusnul who stood as a mother figure, a buddy Ihsan who became an instant brother, and Rena who is a fellow participant from UNP who has been a good friend. Their presence was comforting and reassuring. The treatment I experienced from them was superb.
Thus, home is never been a place. Home is the people. They are the ones who make a person feel safe, welcomed, and valued. Throughout my practicum period, I never felt sad or lonely because of the strong bond and friendship found among great individuals who made an impact on my life.
Reflection
Reflection
Am I Up for the Challenge?
Less than three years ago, I decided to pursue the teaching profession viewing it as a mere profession where one stands in front, speaks some sense to pupils, and then inspires life. Little did I know, there is more to it than meets the eye.
My educational pursuit at the University of Northern Philippines has taught me great things ranging from teaching philosophies, and instructional planning, to pedagogical knowledge. However, it was during my nearly month-long stay in Indonesia for the Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange in Southeast Asia that a realization hit me – “Am I up for the challenge?”
A quote from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk states “A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others.” During my internship, I witnessed how teachers melt like a candle as they juggle their time and effort to provide quality instruction. Through this, I realize how teaching is not just a mere profession, it is a sacrifice. No individual is more willing to handle a group of kids having various needs, personalities, and qualities rather than a passionate teacher. No individual is more willing to pull out an all-nighter just to write lessons or read worksheets rather than a dedicated teacher. No individual is more ready to perform multi-tasks of delivering instruction and implementing curriculum rather than a competent teacher. This means that being a teacher means being a candle that sparks dreams in every child.
Am I up for the challenge? I casually ask myself when every time I witness how teachers rush to their class while carrying lots of things in their hands when I enter a classroom and am welcomed by loud noise and laughter of kids, when I sit at the back of the room and get overwhelmed with questions from pupils, and when I see teachers feel tired at the end of the day after implementing their teaching plan. With deep thinking and contemplation, I found my answer to my questions in the faces of the teachers and pupils whom I interact with. Despite running to the classroom to be on time, the teachers still manage to deliver well their instructional plan. Despite entering a classroom with the echoing noise of pupils, they quickly heed instructions and respect my presence. Despite being asked multiple questions by pupils whenever I sat at the back for my observation, I saw honest curiosity in their eyes which proved their desire for learning. Despite tired looks from teachers after a long day of teaching, there’s still the feeling of pride and fulfillment that emanates from their smiles. As such, I firmly answer yes, I am up for the challenge.
Overall, I deem the time, knowledge, and experience I had in my SEA-Teacher Project journey as crucial in my overall academic and professional formation. Engagement in the program taught me great things from content knowledge and pedagogy, learning environment, diversity of learners, curriculum and planning, to assessment. Through the interactive discussions I had with competent teachers and amazing lectures, meaningful observation and teaching assistantship, and teaching and learning opportunities I had at the receiving institution (Universitas Mulwarman), hosting study program (Pendidikan Guruan Sekolah Dasar), and partner internship school (SD Fastabiqul Khairat), I am certain that I will become a teacher “who sacrifice” – serving as a candle to all who seek learning.
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